Was chatting in the pub with a friend last night (football fan), and the question about salaries for top line rugby union professionals was asked. I had to admit that I have absolutely no idea, not even an approximation, of what a pro in the Aviva premiership might earn. If we take maybe 4 categories 1. superstar such as Francois Louw 2. Very good solid pro such as Domonic Day 3. Squad player Heathcote or Caldwell 4. Up and coming David Sisi.
Has anyone any idea of the sort of salary this type of player might earn?

Internationals probably around double that
Academy graduates around half that
Marquee player around 2.5-3 times that average

A good broad based summary I would say. John Afoa rumours state he is on £400K, Ryan Jones £200 a season. with regard to APs move to Bristol, the 3 year contract may have been a deal breaker.
A nice article from Nov 12 is here
When it comes to France Top class such as Jonny Wilkinson, Brian Habana and Jonny Sexton will be on between 500-520K per year.

Leicester's board commented during the last game of last season that Stringer was available at £40pa when he came to us on the original short term contract. Suspect he'd doing better than that now but probably less than the mean of £80-90K.

he is and remains good value for his experience and mentoring of the younger generation. I hope he's offered a deal that's fair and reasonable (in both party's eyes) and stays another season or 2.

At the Academy forum at Farleigh House a year ago we were told that Academy salaries up to £30K per year are outside the Salary Cap. Anything paid to Acaedemy members over that sum does count in the cap.

the average AP salary was given as £81K.
Given WT's logic above, that leaves room for high earners on £150K+ (up to maybe £250K/300K Max for the global stars)- for every one of whom there is likely to be a"squad member" or two on £45-60K.

NOpe.
That is their market value.
Football and their players 'income'cannot be compared in any way to other professional sports. They are in a league (sic) of their own.

Several years ago, I remember that 80k was minimum for a bog standard PL rugby player and up to 150k for top say 100. No doubt if they get a 3 year contract this could be variable. If, however, they get to international levels, vast amounts can be made an salted away for their retirement. Isn't it still everytime they play they get 10k, and they get a 100k annual retainer for being in the EPS??? I also know but no, the figures that a Lions Tour can be rewarded quite handsomely?

Sorry if these figures cause consternation amongst some lurkers! Always the way with discussion of how much someone gets paid, there is always some idiot who gets more than you, and some sucker who didn't or doesn't know.

Adoptee for 2017/18 James Phillips - newly arrived and bringing a wealth of experience in the Prem!

The salary cap for an Academy is £200K. Additional players can be signed to cover players injured for 12 weeks or more, however the maximum amount that can be spent on salaries for injury replacements is £400K (the player can stay at the club until the end of the season, even after the injured player has returned), add the 8 x £30k Academy credit for players who have come through the academy and you are looking at over £5 Million for salaries.

EPS payments
Although the official details of payments to the EPS squad are confidential it is widely reported that the new deal, struck last year, sees each of the 23 match day squad get £7K for playing, £7K for image rights and £1K for training. So £15K per match. The bonus pot for winning the 2015WC is £5 million compared to £500K for the grand slam.

I will get my size 11's out and sign for Bristol or any other Championship side that will pay me as much as I can grab for being a has been second/back row for a junior club and hope that I will never get a game before they rumble me as a free loader looking to enhance his pension!

It is madness that the Championship sides do not appear to have a cap. What happens if Bristol get promoted and have with their various signings exceed the cap? Are they allowed to continue in the Premiership or will some penalty be extracted from them.

If I was a multi millionaire who loves rugby, I would take over a struggling Championship side with a good fan base and who own their own ground, buy my way to promotion to the Premiership, and sit back and take the plaudits and profits for winning everything at senior level.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment.
We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals.
We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards.
If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing
abuse@sportnetwork.net